Body found in trunk of abandoned vehicle in Franklin County

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FRANKLIN COUNTY, MO (KTVI) – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a car trunk along a highway.

According to Sheriff Gary Toelke, the body was discovered inside an abandoned car around 1:10 p.m. on Parshall Road near Highway AE, between the cities of Sullivan and Gerald. A mail carrier called authorities after seeing the vehicle and noticing a foul odor coming from it.

Upon their arrival, deputies were able to peer into the trunk through a small hole in the brake light assembly and could see a body.

The body, identified only as a Caucasian male, was taken to the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine an official cause of death. Meanwhile, the vehicle was impounded and taken to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for further examination.

Investigators are attempting to locate the registered owner of the vehicle or that person's family.